Master controller device



Aug. 22, 1939. r 2,170,240

MASTER CONTROLLER DEVI CE Filed Sept. 22, 1957 INVENTOR ELLERY R. FITCH ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 22, 1939 PATENT OFFICE ms'ran CONTROLLER nsvrca Ellery R. Fitch, Irwin, Pa., assignor to The Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Wilmerding, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 22, 1937, Serial No. 165,106

11 Claim.

This invention relates to master controller devices and has particular relation to master controller devices employed in brake systems for vehicles such as railway trains.

Various train brake control equipments have been proposed including a so-called straight-air pipe extending throughout the length of the train, the pressure in the various brake cylinders along the length of the train being controlled correspondingly, either directly, or indirectly through relay devices, according to the pressure in the straight-air pipe. In order to effect substantially synchronous and uniform variations of pressure in the straight-air pipe along the entire length thereof, so-called application and release magnet valve devices are commonly employed at intervals along the length of the train for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to and the release of fluid under pressure from the straight-air pipe, all of the application and release magnet valve devices being controlled by a so-called master controller located on one car of the train, such as the locomotive.

A form of master controller is disclosed and claimed ,in Patent 2,068,345 to Donald L. McNeal which comprises two interconnected spaced movable abutments or diaphragms adapted to effect the operation of electrical switches controlling the application and release magnet valve devices which in turn control the pressure in the straightair pipe. In the form of master controller shown in the above-mentioned patent, one of the diaphragms is subjected on one side to a control pressure which shifts both the diaphragms and causes operation of the switches to cause the application and release magnet valve devices to be operated to supply fluid under pressure to the straight-air pipe. The other diaphragm is' subjected on one side to the pressure established in the straight-air pipe and acting in opposition to the established control pressure acting on the other diaphragm so that when the pressure in the straight-air pipe builds 'up sumciently the switches are operated to so control the application and release magnets as to lap the supply of fluid under pressure to the straight-air pipe. Thus the pressure established in the straight-air pipe is caused to correspond to the control pressure established.

Such a form of master controller is subject to the possibility of a pumping action due to overcasting. For example, if a certain control pressure is established, and a fluid pressure corresponding to the pressure in the straight-air pipe is not immediately and promptly established on the diaphragm of the master controller, due in some instances to the time required for the fluid to flow to the master controller from the straightair pipe, the switch controlling the application magnet valve device will not be operated to lap 6 the supply of fluid under pressure to the straightair pipe promptly enough, and thus when the pressure established in the straight-air pipe and that acting on the diaphragm of the master controller ultimately equalize following closing off of 10 the supply to the straight-air pipe, such pressure will be excessive and will so predominate over the control pressure established on the other diaphragm as to cause the switch controlling the release magnets to be operated to effect release 16 of fluid under pressure from the straight-air It the reduction of fluid pressure acting on the diaphragm of the master controller is slower than the reduction in straight-air pipe pressure due to 20 the time required for fluid under pressure to flow from the master controller to the straight-air pipe, then the switch of the master controller which controls the release magnet valve devices will not be operated back to lap position soon a enough as to prevent excessive release of fluid under pressure from the straight-air pipe. Thus, when the release of fluid under pressure from the straight-air pipe is eventually cut off by the release magnet valve devices, the established con- 30 trol pressure will again predominate and thus the above-described cycle of operation of the master controller will occur repeatedly and in succession indefinitely.

Such pumping operation of the master con- 35 troller causes undue and unnecessary wear of the mechanical and electrical parts of the master controller and also causes a fluctuating pressure in the straight-air pipe which results in fluctuations in the degree of application of the brakes.

It is accordingly an object of my invention to provide a master controller device so constructed and arranged that such pumping operation thereof will not occur, thereby insuring a stable and nonfluctuating straight-air pipe pressure in 5 response to any given control pressure which may be established.

More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide a master controller having a stabilizing or dampening device for preventing 5 pumping operation thereof.

The above objects, and other objects of my invention will be made apparent in the subsequent description of my invention when read in connection with the single figure of the accompany- 55 master controller device constructed according to my invention. I

Description of equipment The equipment shown in the single figure of the drawing includes two or more brake cylinders 9, a main reservoir iii, a feed valve device ll of well-known construction adapted to regulate the pressure of the fluid supplied from the main reservoir ill to a pipe i2, hereinafter referred to as the feed valve pipe, to a certain pressure lower than the pressure in the main reservoir, two or more supply reservoirs l3, one for each brake cylinder, the supply reservoirs 13 being charged with fluid under pressure from the feed valve pipe l2 through corresponding branch pipes i i containing a one-way or check valve l5, a plurality of sets of application and release magnet valve devices each of which includes an application magnet valve device l6 and a release magnet valve device fll, a so-called straight-air pipe l8, a so-called control pipe I9, and a brake valve device 20 illustrated as of a simple rotary type.

According to my invention there is also provided a master controller device 2! to which the straight-air and control pipes l8 and i9 are connected and which is operated, in a manner to be hereinafter described, to control the energization and deenergization of the application and the release magnet valve devices l6 and H by current supplied from a suitable source of electrical energy, such as a battery 22, through the medium of suitable application and release train wires 23 and 24 respectively.

Considering the parts of the equipment in greater detail, the brake valve device 20 is illustratively shown as of the simple rotary type comprising a rotary valve (not shown), adapted to be operated by an operating handle 3| into the various brake control positions, such as release, lap, service application and emergency application.

In the release position of the operating handle 3i, the rotary valve establishes communication through which the control pipe I9 is connected to atmosphere. With the operating handle Si in lap position, the rotary valve is psitioned to lap or close the connection from the control pipe l9 to atmosphere. In the service application position of the operating handle 3|, the rotary valve is positioned to establish communication through which fluid under pressure is supplied from the feed valve pipe l2 to the control pipe M at a certain rate hereinafter designated a service rate. To effect a; service application of thebrakes the operating handle 3i is shifted out of release position to service application position until a pressure corresponding to the desired degree of application is established in the control pipe and then shifted to lap position.

With the operating handle 3! in emergency position, the rotary valve is positioned to cause fluid under pressure to be supplied from the feed valve pipe l2 to thecontrol pipe H! at a fast rate hereinafter referred to as an emergency rate. To eiiect an emergency application of the brakes, the operator shifts the operating handle 3| to emergency position and allows it tb remain there, thus causing a fluid pressure to be established in the control pipe l9 equivalent to the pressure in the feed valve pipe l2 and thereby airaaeo eflecting a maximum degree of application of the brakes. a

The one-way or check valves 95 are conventional-in construction and are adapted to permit the supply of fluid under pressure from the feed valve pipe I! through the branch pipes I4 to the respectively associated supply reservoirs l3 and to prevent back flow of fluid under pressure from the supply reservoirs l3 to the feed valve pipe l2.

Each application magnet valve device l6 may comprise a supply valve 33 and an electromagnet winding 34 effective, when energized, to actuate a plunger 35 to unseat the supply valve 33 against the resisting force of a spring 36, which is effective to yieldingly urge the release valve 33 to seated position when the electromagnet winding 34 is deenergized. The supply valve 33 is contained in a chamber 3! which is connected to a corresponding supply reservoir l3 by a pipe 38. When the supply valve 33 is unseated, it establishes communication from the chamber 31 to a chamber 39 which is constantly connected to the straight-air pipe it through a branch passage and pipe ii.

For simplicity, each brake cylinder 9 is illustrated as connected directly to the branch pipe.

4! by a second branch pipe 32 but it will be understood that relay valve devices controlled according to the pressure in the straight-air pipe l8 may be provided for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder.

Each release magnet valve device l'l may comprise a release valve 43 and an electromagnet winding 6B which is effective, when energized, to actuate a plunger 45 to shift the release valve 43 into seated position on an associated valve seat against the resistance of a spring 6 which is efiective to yieldingly urge the release valve 63 to unseated position upon deenergization of the electromagnet winding. The release valve 43 is contained in a chamber d1 which is constantly open to atmosphere through an exhaust port 38. When the release valve A3 is unseated as shown, it establishes communication from a chamber 49, which is constantly connected to the branch passage and pipe ll through a branch passage to the atmospheric chamber ill there: by effecting release of fluid under pressure from the straight-air pipe 68.

The master controller device 2! may comprise a casing having a main or central section 55 of tubular construction and two end or cover sec- .tions 56 and 51 at the opposite ends of the central section 55. Two movable abutments or diaphragms 58 and 59 are provided, the diaphragm 58 having a peripheral gasket portion adapted to be clamped between the central casing section 55 and the end section 56 and the diaphragm 59 having a peripheral gasket portion adapted to be clamped between the central casing section 55 and the end section 51. Formed between the diaphragm 58 and the end casing section 56 is a chamber 6| to which the straight-air pipe I8 is constantly connected. Also, there is formed between the diaphragm 59 and the end casing section 51 a chamber 62 to which the control pipe i9 is constantly connected.

Secured to the inner faces of each of the diaphragms 58 and 59 is a peripherally flanged disc or follower 63 having a central threaded stem 64 which projects through a central opening 65 in the diaphragm, a suitable nut 66 being provided for the end of the stem 64 for securely attaching the follower 68 to the corresponding diaphragm.

Each of the-followers 63 is provided with a central bore or recess 61, the two bores 61 fac--' ing toward each other and receiving therein with a close fit, the opposite ends respectively of a rod or stem 68.

Carried in axially spaced and insulated relation on the rod 68 are two contact-bridging members II and I2. Attached to the upper wall of the central casing section 55 are two springbiased contact members I3 and I4 adapted to,

be constantly engaged, respectively, by the contact-bridging members II and I2.

Suitably attached in insulated relation to the lower wall or base of the central casing section 55 are a pair of spring biased contact members I5 and -I6 so axially spaced that the contactbridging member II first engages the contact .member I5 and then the contact-bridging member I2 engages the contact member I6, as the rod 68 is shifted in the left-hand direction from the normal position shown in the drawing.

Both of the contact members I3 and I4 are connected to one terminal of the battery 22, such as the positive terminal, by a wire I8 and the train wires 23 and 24 are connected, respectively, to the contact members I5, and I6. One termi nal of the electromagnet winding 34 of the application-magnet valve devices I6 and one terminal of the electromagnet winding 44 of the release magnet valve devices II are connected, respectively, to the application train wire 23 and release train wire 24, the opposite terminals of the electromagnet windings being connected to the negative terminal of the battery 22, as

shown.

is shifted in the left-hand direction from the position shown in the drawing, the contactbridging member II first engages the contact member I5 thereby connecting contact members I3 and I5 and establishing a circuit for energizing the electromagnet winding 44 of each of the release magnet valve devices I'I. When the rod 68 is moved further in the left-hand direction, the contact member I2 engages the contact finger I6 and thus connects the contact members I4 and I6 to complete the circuit for energizing the electromagnet winding 34 of each of the application magnet valve devices I6.

Formed in the outer face of the nut 66 associated with the diaphragm 58 is a recess I8, and a coil spring 8|, hereinafter designated the release spring, is interposed between the end casing section 56 and the nut 66, one end of the spring being received and supported in the recess I8. The release spring 8| urges the diaphragms and the rod 68 in the right-hand direction to the position shown wherein the follower 63 associated with the diaphragm 58 engages an annular flange 82 formed on the interior of the central casing section 55, thereby establishing the limit of movement of the rod 68 in the righthand direction. I

Suitably guided in a bore in the end cover section 56 is a' graduating stop member 83 which extends into the chamber 6| in axial alignment with the rod 68 and is yieldingly biased to a maximum inward position, determined by the" engagement of a flange 84 thereon with a stop shoulder 85 on the casing section 56, by a coil spring 81 hereinafter called the graduating spring which is interposed between the stop member 88 and a threaded plug 88 screwed into the outer end of the end casing section 56.

The inner end of the stop member 83 is normally spaced from the end of the stem 64 of the follower 68 associated with the diaphragm 58 so that the movement of therod 68 in the lefthand direction is resisted first by only the release spring 8| and then, after the rod 68 has moved sufficiently in the left-hand direction to cause the end of the stem 64 of the follower 63 associated with the diaphragm '58 to engage the stop member 83, by both 'the spring 8| and the spring 81.

After compression of both springs 8| and 81, the movement of the rod 68 in the left-hand direction is limited by the engagement of the follower 63 on the diaphragm 58 with an annular stop flange 82 on the interior of the central casing section 55.

According to my invention, the master controller device 2| further comprises a stabilizing or dampening device for yieldingly resisting movement of the rod 68 in either the right-hand or the left-hand direction. This stabilizing device may comprise one or more toggle levers 84, two

. of which are shown for purposes of illustration,

,at the inner end thereof and the levers 84 are so mounted on the pins 85 that a collar or flange 81 formed on or attached to the rod 68 interlockingly engages in the recesses 86 of the levers.

Each of the toggle levers 84 has at the outer end thereof a plurality of grooves or recesses 88,

88 and I88, angularly spaced on the arc of movement of the lever, the grooves 88 and 88 being It will thus be seen that when the rod 68 separated by a rounded rib I8I and the grooves 88 and I88 being separated by rounded rib I82.

The opposite walls of the central casing section 55 have openings I83 therein in alignment with the toggle levers 84 and, separately attached in any suitable manner to the central casing section 55 over the openings I83, are fittings or casing sections I84. Each of the casing sections I84 has abore I85 therein extending in a direction radial to the axis of the rod 68 and registering with the openings I83. Contained in each of the bores I 85 is a piston I86 having a stem I 81 at the inner end thereof which carries thereon a roller I88 adapted to engage in the grooves 88, 88 and I88 of a corresponding toggle lever 84.

In the outer portion of the bore I85 in each of the casing sections I84 is a piston II I and interposed between the piston III and the outer face of the piston I86 is a coil spring I I2 which yieldingly'urges the piston I86 radially inward -to cause the rollers I88 to yieldingly engage in the grooves 88, 88 and I88 of the toggle levers 84.

Normally, the pistons I II are urged radially outward into engagement with an annular rib II3 formedon the inner face of an end cover 4 attached to the outer end of each of the casing sections I84. Formed between the piston I II and the end cover II4 of each of the casing sections I 84 is a chamber II6, all of the chambers II6 being connected to and subject to the pressure of fluid in the control pipe I8.

When the pressure of the fluid in the control pipe I8 exceedsa certain uniform low pressure, such as two or three pounds per square inch, the pistons II I are urged radially inward into engagement with a stop shoulder III formed on the casing section I08 between the inner smaller and outer larger portion of the bore I05, thus causing the tension of the coil spring H2 to be increased to a certain uniform tension.

Operation of equipment Assuming that the main reservoir 10 is charged with fluid at the normal pressure carried therein in the usual manner by a fluid compressor, not shown, each of the supply reservoirs I3 throughout the train is charged to the pressure as regulated by the feed valve device II from the feed valve pipe I2 through the corresponding branch pipe I4 and past the one-way valve I5.

Now assuming that the train of cars is traveling along the road with the brake valve handle 3I in release position and the brakes accordingly released, a service application of the brakes may be effected by turning the brake valve handle 3| from release position to service position to establish a pressure in the control pipe I9 corresponding to a desired degree of brake application, and then shifting the handle to lap position.

When the pressure of the fluid in the control pipe I9 exceeds a certain uniform unit pressure, such as'two pounds per square inch, each piston III is shifted radially inward into engagement with the stop shoulder II I to increase the tension of the spring II 2 to its certain maximum degree. Since the release spring 8I exerts a force tending to hold the follower 63 on the diaphragm 58 in contact with the annular stop flange 82 and since the roller I08 on the piston I06 is engaged in the groove 98 of a toggle lever 30 and yieldingly held therein by the spring H2, it will be apparent that the movement of the rod 68 in the left -hand direction is prevented until the fluid pressure established in the chamber 62 connected to the control pipe I9 exceeds a certain uniform pressure, such as ten pounds per square inch.

When the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 62 of the master controller device '2I exceeds such certain uniform pressure, the resistance of the release spring and of the springs H2, hereinafter called the toggle springs, yieldingly holding the rollers I08 in the grooves 08 of the toggle levers 90 is overcome and the rod 68 is thus moved axially in the left-hand direction. When the rod 68 is moved sufiiciently in the left-hand direction from the position shown, the rollers I 03 are snapped over the rib IOI into the central groove 99 of the toggle levers 90, the rod I58 thus being shifted to a position in which the end of the stem 64 of the follower I53 on the diaphragm 50 just engages the inner end of the stop member 83.

In this position of the rod 68, hereinafter called the lap position, the contact-bridging member II connects the contact members 73 and 15 and the circuit previously described is thus completed for energizing the electromagnet winding ti t of each of the release magnet valve devices IT. The release valve 03 of each release magnet valve device I! is thus shifted to seated position to close ofi or lap the exhaust communication from the branch pipe 4| and connected straight-air pipe I8 and brake cylinders 9 to atmosphere through the exhaust port 88.

In view of the fact that the stem 64 of the follower 63 associated with the diaphragm 58 now engages the end of the stop member 83, it will be apparent that further movement of the 'rod 68 in the left-hand direction is opposed by the force of the graduating spring 01 as well as by the release spring 8| and the toggle springs H2, and thus the pressure in the chamber 32 must increase further a certain'uniform amount, such as five pounds per square inch, in order to cause further movement of the rod 68 in the lefthand direction.

When the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 32 of the master controller device 2| increases by such certain uniform unit pressure, the rod 68 is moved in the left-hand direction sufllciently to cause the rollers I08 to snap over the rib I02 on the toggle levers 94 into the groove I00.

The rod 68 is thus shifted to a position, hereafter called'the application position in which the contact-bridging member 12 connects the contact members I4 and I6 and thus completes the circuit previously described for energizing the electromagnet winding 34 of each of the application magnet valve devices I6. It will be apparent that the contact members 13 and I remain connected by the contact-bridging member II and are yieldingly moved to follow the movement of the rod 68.

Upon the energization of the electromagnet winding 34 of the applicationmagnet valve devices IS, the supply valve 33 is unseated and thus fluid under pressure is supplied from each supply reservoir I3 to each corresponding brake cylinder 9 by way of the branch pipe 33, chambers 31 and 39, passage and pipe M and branch pipe 42.

Fluid under pressure supplied to pipe I flows to the straight-air pipe I8 and since the straightair pipe I8 is connected to the chamber SI of the master controller device 2|, the pressure in the chamber 3| increases as the pressure in the straight-air pipe I8 increases.

The pressure of the fluid in the chamber SI acting on the diaphragm 53 opposes the pressure in chamber 62 acting on the diaphragm 59 and when the pressure in the chamber SI increas sufiiciently, the rod 68 is urged in the right-hand direction until the rollers I00 snap back over the rib I02 on the toggle levers into the central groove 99 therein. With the rod 60 thus in lap position again, contact-bridging member I2 disengages the contact member I6 and thereby interrupts the circuit for energizing the electromagnet winding 30 of the application magnet valve devices I6. Upon deenergization of the electro-magnet 34, the supply valves 33 are reseated to cut off or lap the supply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinders 3, straight-air pipe I8 and chamber SI of the master controller device 2 I.

It will be apparent that the pressure in the chamber 6I must increase sumciently to produce a differential force in the right-hand direction on the rod suflicient to overcome the resistance to movement of the rod 68 exerted by the toggle springs H2 through the toggle levers 94. It will,

furthermore, be apparent that with the rollers I08 engaging in the groove I00 oi the toggle lever 95, that is, with the rod 58 in its extreme lefthand or application position, both the release spring III and the graduating spring 81 assist the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 3| to cause movement of the rod 68 in the right-hand direction in opposition to the pressure established in the chamber 62. With the rod 38 in lap position and the rollers I08 in the central grooves 99 of the toggle levers 04, the graduating spring 81 is ineffective to exert a force urging the rod 68 in the right-hand direction because the flange on the stop member 83 has engaged the stop shoulder 88.

If, now the pressure in the chamber 6I of the master controller device 2| tends to increase as it equalizes with or stabilizes at the pressure or the fluid in the straight-air pipe following the seating of the supply valve 88 of the application magnet valve devices I8, it must increase sufflciently to produce a differential force over the opposing force exerted by the fluid pressure in chamber 82 greater than the resistance offered to further movement of the rod 88 in the righthand direction by the toggle springs I I2 in order to cause the rod to be shifted further in the righthand direction. However the resistance to further movement of rod-68 in. the right-hand di rection from the lap position offered by toggle springs III is adequate to prevent such movement of the rod 88 for any possible increase in the pressure of fluid in chamber 6| caused by equalization with the pressure in straight-air pipe l8 particularly since the graduating spring 81 no longer exerts a force on the rod 68.

Furthermore, the pressure in the chamber 82 will be ineflective to cause movement of the rod 68 in the left-hand direction to application position again because it has insumcient differential force over the combined force of the release spring 8|, raduating spring 81, and the pressure in the chamber 8| to overcome the resistance oil'ered to movement of the rod 88 out of lap position by the toggle springs II! which maintain the toggle levers 94 in a vertical position thereof with the rollers I08 in the central grooves 88.

It will thus be apparent that when a given pressure is established in the control pipe I8 and in the chamber 82 of the master controller device 2|, the master controller device II is operated through only one cycle to so control the application and release magnet valve devices It and H as to establish a corresponding pressure in the straight-air pipe I8 and in the brake cylinders 8 without repeated cycles of operation, that is, pumping. It will be apparent, furthermore, that no pumping operation of the master controller device 2I can occur because the stabilizing or dampening arrangement including the toggle levers 84 exerts a force sufficient to resist undesired movement of rod 68 in either direction from one brake control position to another.

If it is desired to increase the degree of a brake application, the operator again shifts the brake valve handle 3! to service application position to effect the necessary increase in the pressure of the fluid in the control pipe I8 corresponding to the desired increase in the degree of brake application and then shifts the handle back to lap position. When the pressure established in the chamber 62 of the master controller 2| increases sufliciently to overcome the combined opposing forces of the release spring 8|, the graduating spring 81, the toggle springs H2 and the fluid pressure in the chamber GI, the rod 68 is again shifted in the left-hand direction and the rollers I08 snapped over the ribs I02 into the groove I of the toggle levers 94. The movement of rod 68 thus effected causes the contact-bridging member 12 to again engage the contact member 16 and effect energization of the electromagnet winding 34 of the application magnet valve devices I6. Upon energization of the electromagnet winding 84 of the magnet valve devices IE, supply valves 33 are again unseated and fluid under pressure again supplied from the supply reservoir I3 to the brake cylinders 8 and straight-air pipe I8. As in the previous instance, when the pressure in the chamber 6| is increased sufficiently that the differential force of the release spring 8I, graduating spring 81 and the pressure of the fluid in chamber 8| over the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 82 is sufficient to overcome the resistance offered by the toggle springs H2,

the rod 88 is again shifted to lap position. As in the previous instance, once the rod 88 is in lap position, it is necessary that the pressure in the chamber 6| be increased sufliciently to overcome the resistance of the toggle springs I I2 in order to shift the rod 88 to a further extent from lap position to release position. However, as explained previously this cannot occur and thus the master controller device 2| is operated through only one cycle of operation to establish a pressure in the brake cylinders 9 and straight-- air pipe corresponding substantially to the increased pressure established in the control pipe I8.

While the above operation of the master controller device 2| has been described as for a service application of the brakes, it will be apparent that it will operate in a similar manner for an emergency application of the brakes and it is deemed unnecessary therefore to repeat the operation of the master controller device 2| for an emergency application of the brakes.

Assuming that an application of the brakes has been effected in the manner previously described, and that it is desired to effect a partial release of the brakes, the operator may shift the brake valve handle 3I to release position to effect a reduction in pressure of the fluid in the control pipe I9 suflicient to effect a desired reduction in the degree of the brake application and then shift the handle to lap position. When the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 82 of the master controller device 2| reduces sufliciently that the differential force exerted by the fluid pressure in chamber 6| and by the release spring BI is suiflcient to overcome the resistance offered by the toggle springs II2, the rod 68 is shifted in the right-hand direction and the rollers I08 snap over the rib IOI on the toggle levers 94 into the groove 98, the rod 68 thus being shifted to its normal release position from the lap position thereof, Contact-bridging member II thus disengages the contact member I5 and interrupts the circuit for energizing the electromagnet winding 44 of the release magnet valve devices IT. The release valve 43 of the release magnet valve devices I'! is thus unseated and fluid under pressure released from the straight-air pipe I8, the chamber SI of the master controller device 2| and the brake cylinders 9 by way of the exhaust port 48 of the release magnet valve devices.

When the pressure in the chamber BI reduces sufficiently that the differential force exerted in the left-hand direction on the rod 68 by the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 52 is sufficient to overcome the resistance oflered by the toggle springs II2, the rod 68 is again shifted in the left-hand direction and the rollers I08 snapped over the ribs IOI into the central grooves 89 on the toggle levers 94.. If the pressure in the chamber BI thereafter reduces to the'pressure of equilibrium between chamber SI and straightair pipe I8 following seating of the reelase valve 43 it will be apparent that the toggle springs II2 will resist movement of the rod 68 in the lefthand direction into the application position to effect undesired resupply of pressure to the straight-air pipe.

Thus the rod 68 will again be maintained in lap position wherein the contact-bridging member II connects the contact members I3 and I5 to maintain the release'electromagnet winding 44 energized and wherein contact member 12 is disengaged i'rom the contact member I6 and effects interruption of the energizing circuit for the electromagnet winding 34 of the application magnet valve devices l6. It will thus be seen that upon a reduction in the pressure in control pipe l9, the master controller 2| operates through only one cycle to effect a corresponding reduction in the pressure in straight-air pipe l8 and thus in the degree of application or the brakes.

It will be apparent that the pressure in the control pipe 19 may be reduced in any desired number of steps to graduate the release of the brakes,"

Obviously, when the rod 68 is shifted in the righthand direction in the manner previously described, to releaseposition, in which the rollers I08 engage in the grooves 98 of the toggle levers 94, the application and release magnet valve devices l6 and I! will be both deenergized. With the supply valve 33 seated and release valve 43 unseated, pressure in the brake cylinders 9, straight-air pipe l8 and chamber 6! of the master controller device 2| is reduced to atmospheric pressure. With the fluid in both the chambers GI and 62 at atmospheric pressure, the rod 68 is thus maintained in release position, and the brakes accordingly remain released.

When the pressure in the control pipe is is reduced to atmospheric pressure, the pressure in each chamber 6 is also reduced to atmospheric pressure and thus each toggle spring H2 iorces its associated piston Ill outwardly into contact with the annular rib H3. With the toggle springs H2 thus expanded, the force urging the rollers I08 into the grooves 98 against the toggle levers 94 is relieved and movement of the rod 68 into release position is thus insured.

Summary Summarizing, it will be seen that I have disclosed an eiectro-pneumatic vehicle brake equipment including a master controller device of improved construction. The master controller device comprises a stabilizing or dampening arrangement for preventing pumping operation of the master controller 25 due to overcasting, either upon efiecting an increase in pressure or a decrease in the pressure in a pipe, such as a straightair pipe.

While I have disclosed only one embodiment of myinvention it will be apparent that various omissions, additions or modifications may be made in the embodiment shown without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, not, my intention to limit the scope of my invention except as is necessitated by the scope of the prior art.

Having now described my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A control device comprising a first switch device and a second switch device, an element efi'ective upon movement in one direction from a certain position to successively close said first switch and said second switch device and upon reverse movement in the opposite direction toward said certain position to successively open said second switch device and said first switch device, and means effective to yieldingly resist movement or said element out of a plurality r certain uniform positions with the same degree of resisting force, in one of which both of said switch devices are open, in another of which said first switch device is closed and said second switch device is open, and in the third of which both of said switch devices are closed.

2. A control device comprising a first switch device and a .second switch device, an element effective upon movement in one direction from a certain position to successively close said first switch device and said second switch device and upon reverse movement in the opposite direction toward said certain position to successively open said second switch device and said first switch device, and a toggle mechanism effective to yieldingly resist movement of said element out of a plurality ofcertain positions in one of which both switch device is open, and in a third of which both of said switch devices are closed.

3. A control device comprising a control element, fluid pressure operated means for shifting said control element in opposite directions, a toggle mechanism for yieldingly resisting movement of the control element, said mechanism comprising a toggle lever, atoggle spring, and fluid pressure operated means for varying the tension'of said toggle spring.

4. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a first pipe chargeable with fluid at different pressures, a second pipe, the fluid pressure in which-controlsthe degree of braking force with which application of the brakes is effected, pneumatically operated self-lapping means for establishing a fluid pressure in the said second pipe corresponding substantially to the pressure established in the first pipe, and means efiective to yieldingly resist operation of the nself-lapping means out of lap position to effect an increase of the fluid pressure in said second pipe upon an increase of the fluid pressure in said first pipe and effective also to yieldingly resist operation of the self-lapping means out of lap position to eflect a decrease of the fluid pressure in said second pipe upon a decrease of the pressure in said first pipe.

5. In a vehicle brake system, the combination 0 of a first pipe and a second pipe, means for eifecting application of the brakes to a degree corresponding to the fluid pressure established in said second pipe, fluid pressure operated selfeffective when the said self-lapping means is in lap position to resist operation of, the self-lapping means to either increase or decrease the pressure in said second pipe.

6. In a vehicle brake system, the combination of a first pipe and a second'pipe, means for effecting application of the brakes to a degree corresponding to the pressure established in said second pipe, fluid pressure operated self-lapping means controlled according to the pressure in said firstpipe and said second pipe for establishing a pressure in said second pipe corresponding substantially to the pressure established in said first pipe, and a toggle mechanism effective to exert a certain uniform force to yieldingly resist 75 spring beyond a certain degree.

lishing a pressure in said second pipe corresponding substantially to the pressure established in said first pipe, and a toggle mechanim said second pipe, fluid pressure operated selflapping means controlled according to the pressure in said first pipe and said second pipe for establishing a pressure in said second pipe corresponding substantially to the pressure established in said first pipe, and a toggle mechanism for yieldingly resisting operation of the selflapping means out of'lap position, saidtoggle mechanism comprising a toggle leveg a toggle spring, and fluid pressure responsive eans subject to the pressure in the said first pipe for increasing the tension or said toggle spring, and ,means preventing said fluid pressure responsive means from increasing the tension of the toggle 9. A control device comprising a fluid pressure operated self-lapping means having a shiftable operating element, a toggle lever pivoted intermediate its=ends and disposed so that one end cooperatively engages the said element,

said lever having at its opposite end a plurality of arcuately spaced notches, and means adapted to yieldingly engage in each individual notch at difl'erent times to yieldingly resist movement of the said element out of a plurality of different.

corresponding positions.

10. A self-lapping control device comprising two movable abutments arranged in spaced coaxial relation, an operating stem connecting said abutments, said stem being shifted in one direction out of a normal position in response to the pressure of fluid acting on the outer face of one of said abutments and in the opposite direction toward said normal position in response to the pressure of fluid acting on the outer face of the other of said abutments, and a toggle mechanism disposed between said abutments and cooperating with said stem in such manner as to yieldingly resist movement of said stem in the said one direction or in the opposite direction.

11. A control device comprising fluid pressure operated self-lapping means including an operating element adapted to have a normal position, an operating position and a lap position between the operating position and the normal position, a toggle lever associated with said element, and, a single resilient means cooperating with said lever, said lever and single resilient means being effective to resist movement of the operating element out of its lap position toward its normal position in one direction and. also movement of the operating element out of lap position toward its operating position in the opposite direction ELLERY R. FITCH. 

